People keen to prevent emergency dentistry have been given some top tips on how to look after their teeth by one expert.

Speaking to the Western Mail, hygienist Alison Lowe said one of the easiest ways to do so is to use a fluoride toothpaste, which could reduce decay by up to 50 per cent.

However, she advised people to check the packaging, as different formulas are required for different age groups. For instance, children younger than two will need fluoride levels of 600 parts per million (ppm), whereas 1,450ppm is fine for the over-fours.

Meanwhile, Ms Lowe also recommended brushing teeth before and not after breakfast, as this will prevent acids from stripping away the tooth enamel.

She said it is best to leave an hour between eating and brushing and recommended eating sugary foods at mealtimes rather than grazing in them throughout the day.

Last month, Dr Sarah Hulland told the Vancouver Sun that parents should teach their children about the benefits of good oral hygiene as early as possible to reduce the likelihood of them needing emergency dentistry in the future.

The new generation of elderly people may be more in need of emergency dentistry than their predecessors, one expert has claimed.

Dr Mary McNally, an associate professor of dentistry at Dalhousie University in Canada, told the Vancouver Sun that because of advances in oral hygiene, people are now more likely to keep their teeth well into old age, whereas once they would have had dentures at a relatively young age.

However, she explained that as baby boomers get older and become less able to look after their own oral hygiene – as well as perhaps needing medicine that dries out the mouth – they may suddenly start losing teeth to decay and needing procedures like dental implants.

"There are a lot of people out there with a lot of good dental work, but we can anticipate that there will be issues as care patterns change," Dr McNally commented.

In January 2011, Dr David Mady told the Windsor Star that elderly people need good oral healthcare on a regular basis.

He suggested that the people who look after them may be able to help with this.

Parents have been urged to ensure they promote the importance of good oral hygiene to their children as early as possible, so as to reduce the likelihood of needing emergency dentistry in the future.

Speaking to the Vancouver Sun, former president of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Dentistry Dr Sarah Hulland explained that it is crucial to ensure that infants' gums are kept sufficiently clean even prior to teething.

"Studies now show that, although you are not born with the bacteria associated with cavities, you acquire those bacteria prior to getting teeth," she told the newspaper.

"The balance against that is appropriate oral hygiene."

Her sentiments were echoed by ex-Ontario Dental Association head Dr Ian McConnachie, who pointed out that the risk of requiring cosmetic dentistry could also be influenced by genetic factors.

Earlier this week, British Dental Health Foundation advisor Louise Chidlow encouraged parents to promote good habits among their youngsters by finding ways to make the act of brushing more "fun".

People considering Botox may wish to ensure they visit a professional in order to get a natural look that does not freeze the face.

Plastic surgeon Dr Anthony Youn told The Body Odd at MSNBC.com that patients who ask for the treatment around their lips to get rid of smoker's lines could be at risk of restricted movement of the mouth if they have too much.

"If a person is unable to pucker their lips, it looks strange. You may have a mouth that doesn't move naturally, like a wax figure type of mouth," he warned.

The expert was speaking after a report in the Vancouver Sun, which explained that a woman's court case had been thrown out after she used Botox as her defence.

Paddi Anne Moore, 51, was pulled over by police in April and asked to give a breath test, but could not blow because her doctor had used so much Botox around her lips.

Although the police did not believe her, the judge asked the advice of a plastic surgeon and concluded that she was telling the truth rather than refusing the test because she had been drinking.

A study published by the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London has shown a link between poor memory and tooth loss – a condition which could be averted through the daily use of floss.

Dr Nigel Carter, head of the British Dental Health Foundation, said the findings were interesting and are helping to highlight the importance of good oral health and the benefits this can bring to overall wellbeing.

He told the Independent that this research will “add to a growing list of evidence of the wide-ranging systemic links relating to poor oral health”.

Elsewhere, Dr Robert MacGregor recently told the Vancouver Sun that one of the biggest threats to oral health is smoking and that most of the damage caused to an individual will be in their gums.

He argued that periodontal disease, loss of jawbone density, loss of teeth and oral cancer are all possible outcomes of the habit.

An increasing reliance on pharmaceuticals to treat a range of conditions – such as hypertension, high cholesterol and depression – has led to an increase in emergency dentistry procedures in the UK.

According to Lakeside Dental, this new reliance on drug treatments has had a serious side-effect of more people needing emergency dentistry work due to cavities.

The surgery claimed that this is known as xerostomia and is brought about through the treatments killing protective bacteria in the mouth, thereby leading to an increased risk of cavities forming in previously healthy teeth.

Elsewhere, the Vancouver Sun recently reported that US dentist Dr Ron Smith has claimed plaque build-up is an ongoing problem for many and that even a small amount of plaque can be a problem in terms of long-term oral health.

He noted that gingivitis is a common problem and a build-up of plaque can be a starting point for periodontal disease.

Children should receive help from their parents when learning to brush their teeth.

Children should receive a helping hand when they are learning to brush their teeth, it has been claimed.

American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry president Dr William Berlocher said that many children find brushing their teeth extremely tiresome and can refuse to accept any help or simply do not want to brush their teeth altogether.

It is at this time that parents should remain strong, however, as putting in place a regular oral health routine for children is important for having healthy teeth throughout their adult life.

He commented: “Children who have discovered they have some control in their lives and are resistive to their parent’s direction and instruction can be a more challenging issue.”

Elsewhere, the Vancouver Sun recently reported that more children are developing tooth cavities as a result of the higher levels of sugar and acidic foods that they have in their diets.

The publication noted that cavity levels have increased significantly over the last decade for children starting school.

Dentists in Scotland are being employed to help reduce the country’s burgeoning levels of alcohol abuse, it has been revealed.

Dr Christine Goodall, a senior clinical lecturer in oral surgery, said giving people advice on the dangers to their oral health posed by excessive drinking could help to reduce abuse rates.

She commented: "At the moment, you go to the dentist and you get asked about how much sugar you are eating and quite a lot of dentists do smoking cessation advice as that has a big association with oral cancer. This is the next step."

Elsewhere, Canadian newspaper the Vancouver Sun recently reported that making an appointment to visit a dentist on a regular basis could be the first line of defence against mouth cancer.

The publication noted that oral health professionals are trained to note any problems at an early stage and could prove invaluable in helping to reduce mouth cancer rates.

Emergency dentists at Ghyllmount Dental Practice in Cumbria are offering free check-ups for patients throughout November in support of Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Local newspaper the News & Star reported awareness needs to be raised for mouth cancer across the UK and one dentist’s office in Cumbria is offering free oral health check-ups to do just that.

Rachel Gibson, a dentist from Ghyllmount Dental Practice, told the paper: "As oral healthcare professionals we are keen to highlight that if in any doubt at all about white or red patches in the mouth … then please see your dentist without delay."

Elsewhere, Canadian newspaper the Vancouver Sun recently advised that dentists should be regarded as the first line of defence against mouth cancer.

The publication reported that anyone worried about the disease should make an appointment with a dental health professional to get a check-up in order to allay their fears.